The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, on Wednesday played host to a coalition of labour leaders and professionals under the umbrella of Working People United (WOPU), as the group formally declared its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The endorsement, announced during a courtesy visit to the minister in Abuja, was described by the coalition as part of a broader mobilisation strategy targeting working-class Nigerians across sectors of the economy.

The minister’s office confirmed the development in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Nneamaka Okafor.

WOPU, a coalition comprising labour leaders, professionals, artisans, and workers across key sectors including oil and gas, said it was stepping beyond traditional union advocacy to actively participate in shaping Nigeria’s political direction.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the National President of WOPU, Comrade Williams Akporeha, said the group was formed to deepen civic participation among working Nigerians and ensure their voices were reflected in national decision-making.

He said the coalition’s decision to support President Tinubu was based on what it described as the administration’s reform-driven economic agenda, despite prevailing challenges.

Akporeha said, “We have come to a conclusion, after wide consultations across sectors of working Nigerians, that the reforms being undertaken by this administration are difficult but necessary. We are not blind to the challenges Nigerians are facing, but we are also convinced that without these structural reforms, the country would have been heading towards a more dangerous economic situation.”

He added that WOPU would deploy its nationwide structure to mobilise workers and grassroots communities ahead of the next election cycle.

“Our movement is not just symbolic. We are structured across sectors and regions, and we intend to use this network to educate, mobilise, and encourage active participation of working Nigerians in the democratic process. We believe the future of this country must be shaped by those who build it daily,” he said.

The group also said it would extend its outreach beyond Nigeria’s borders. “We are also engaging Nigerians in the diaspora. They remain an important part of this national project, and through our international network, we will ensure they are not left out of the conversation about Nigeria’s future,” Akporeha added.

In his response, Senator Lokpobiri commended the coalition for its organisation and political engagement, describing the initiative as a welcome development in democratic participation.

He said constructive engagement with labour and grassroots groups remained essential for national stability and policy feedback.

“I want to commend you for coming together in this structured and purposeful manner. It is important that organised groups like yours continue to engage government, not only in moments of difficulty but also in shaping the future direction of our country,” the minister said.

Lokpobiri assured the delegation of the government’s openness to collaboration and continued dialogue with stakeholders across sectors.

“This administration remains open to engagement. Where there are concerns, we listen. Where there are ideas, we are willing to consider them. Governance is a collective responsibility, and we recognise the role of organised labour and professional bodies in strengthening that process,” he added.

The meeting also underscored WOPU’s strategy of combining domestic mobilisation with diaspora engagement, as part of efforts to strengthen political participation and national cohesion.

Participants at the meeting reaffirmed their commitment to the coalition’s objectives, adopting the slogan: “Working People United, Time for a Greater Nigeria.”

Nigeria is heading toward another major electoral cycle in 2027, when voters will choose the President, members of the National Assembly, and state legislators across the country. The 2027 polls come at a politically sensitive period, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is widely expected to seek re-election after his first term, while opposition parties are also positioning themselves for a major contest.